Graduation 2025: Brett Johnson takes center stage with top teaching honor
With a spotlight-worthy passion for the stage and an unwavering dedication to his students, Dr. Brett Johnson has earned top billing as the 2025 recipient of Mercyhurst University’s Teaching Excellence Award. A master educator, director, and mentor, Johnson’s impact on the university’s intellectual and artistic life has taken center stage, earning him the institution’s highest recognition for faculty achievement.
A Mercyhurst faculty member for 13 years, Johnson is director of the university’s Theatre program, teaching courses in acting, theatre history, dramatic literature, script analysis, and theatre appreciation while producing more than 40 productions in Mercyhurst’s Taylor Little Theatre, including “She Kills Monsters,” “The Threepenny Opera,” and “The Diary of Anne Frank.”
Further, Johnson is artistic director of the Mercyhurst Institute for Arts & Culture, credited with bringing top-tier entertainers like Lily Tomlin, Martin Short, Kristin Chenoweth, and Vanessa Williams to the Erie community. He is also responsible for securing Betty Buckley as an artist-in-residence at the university.
Those who nominated him describe Johnson as a master at his craft whose dedication has shaped a whole generation of Mercyhurst actors.
His colleague, Patrick Magill, was happy to describe his praises for Johnson’s efforts. “Dr. Johnson has a clear vision of the value of art,” he said. “His determined drive consistently is in service to art. As a steadfast leader, Brett pushes to achieve professional results and encourages others to do the same. The Mercyhurst Mission outlines an appreciation for the dignity of work and a commitment to serving others. Dr. Johnson demonstrates this statement daily, and I’m grateful to be part of the experience.”
Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Rich McCarthy spoke highly of the impact Johnson has on the Mercyhurst community. "Dr. Johnson has an unmatched knowledge of theatre and an incredible passion for teaching,” he said. “There are scores of students who have discovered their love for the theatre arts because of Dr. Johnson. What is more, legends of Broadway, film, and television have come to regard Dr. Johnson as a friend—and we repeatedly hear from them that Dr. Johnson is singular in his gifts and that he has created a program that rivals the best of the best. This teaching excellence award is most well-earned."